Standard Core 4 SightFirst

Understanding LCIF Grant Opportunities

Int’l Assistance Emergency Major Catastrophe

LCIF Grant Programs -- Overview (

Non

-Disaster Grants)

 Standard Grants : Matching grants of up to $75,000 for local humanitarian service projects. (2 per district)  Core 4 Grants : Funds special projects in eyesight, disability, health, and youth (1 per district). Grants up to $200,000.

 SightFirst Grants : Blindness prevention and sight restoration projects in neediest areas  International Assistance Grants : Supports club twinning projects; Grants up to $30,000 (1 per district)

Standard Grants

 Broadest category of LCIF funding 151 grants in LY 2000-01 for $7.1 million  Matching funds up to US$75,000  Supports larger-scale Lions humanitarian projects too big for local clubs to do alone  Bottom Up: Lions districts identify and develop projects  Two allowed per district at a time

Typical Standard Grant Projects

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Mobile Health Units

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Hospices, Nursing Homes

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Street Children’s Homes

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Medical Units

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Blind and Disabled Welfare Centers

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Eye Clinics and Research Centers

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Schools in Developing Countries

Standard Grants: Key Criteria

Funding parameters  Primarily capital funding only (bricks and mortar)  Funding is for specific projects (not general operating support)  Must address important humanitarian need  Serves a large population  Cost must be beyond local fundraising capabilities  Cost-effectiveness imp.

Key Rules

:  Many clubs need to be involved (min 2-3)  Application must be endorsed by district cabinet  Budget must show significant funding from local Lions organizations  Project must have a strong Lions identity and Lions volunteer involvement

District Governors’ Review: What should you look for in a budget?

Budget Parameters

Income and expense budget needed Budget must balance Lions funding should be itemized (# clubs?) Income 15 clubs (collected) $12,000 District (pledged) 2,000 Community (collected) 500 (anticipated) 1,500 LCIF request 14,000

TOTAL 28,000

Indicate Status of each funding source Invoices required for items listed in the expense budget Expense 2 vision testers $11,000 1 hearing machine 8,000 Refurbish exam room 9,000

TOTAL 28,000

Standard Grant Review and Approval

 Applications due 60 days before board mtg; those received early have a faster review  Staff pre-reviews applications; clarifications and changes may be requested  LCIF Exec. Committee reviews applications that meet all preliminary requirements.  Applications are either approved with conditions), tabled (sometimes (pending further information) or denied  LCIF Grant money is not disbursed until local funds are collected

Core 4 Grants

 Narrower focus than Standard grants  Supports special initiatives under the four primary service commitments of Lions: Preserving Sight Serving Youth Promoting Health Combating Disability  1 to 2 funding priorities adopted under each of the 4 areas on a rotating basis  Grants are given on a 3-to-1 matching basis in most instances (25% local funding)

Current Core 4 Funding Priorities

Preserving Sight » » Low Vision Projects Children’s Eye Photoscreening Combating Disability » » Partnership with Habitat for Humanity Partnership with Special Olympics “Opening Eyes” Promoting Health » Diabetes Prevention and Treatment Serving Youth » Lions Quest (moratorium)

How does Core 4 work?

 Grants can only be awarded to the board designated Core 4

Funding Priorities

 Funding priorities target urgent needs and new opportunities for humanitarian service.

 Separate grants forms exist for each funding priority (Contact LCIF or go to www.lcif.org)  Some funding priorities are limited to multiple and single districts  Unlike Standard grants, Core 4 can fund some project operating expenses; also local monies can be raised over life of project

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International Assistance Grants (IAG)

Smaller grants to support international twinning-type projects  Lions club/districts in 2 countries join together  Sponsor club raises some funding and applies for grant; host club helps implement  Grants are between $5,000 and $30,000;  Grants $10,000 and under reviewed continually

Typical IAG Projects

 Eyeglass and medical missions  Clean water and wells  Equipment for Blind and Disability Rehab Ctrs  Environmental Protection  Rural Development

Emergency Grants

 LCIF’s first-line response to disaster situations  $10,000 available to districts affected by natural disasters  Lions purchase supplies to meet immediate needs: » » » » food, water clothing, bedding medicines hygiene products

Regulations for Emergency Grants

 Disaster must be large in scope, displacing or affecting many people (50 or more)  LCIF funds Lions-led relief activities  Grant must be requested within days of disaster  Funds must be spent within 30 days  One grant per disaster Taiwan: Bedding for Quake Victims in Shelters